A Bangladeshi ministerial delegation led by Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, adviser to the prime minister for finance and planning, met representatives of Arizona State University at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley in California on Sunday to explore long-term cooperation in semiconductor ecosystem development, education, research, innovation and workforce development, the foreign ministry said.
The delegation included Shama Obaed Islam, state minister for foreign affairs; Boby Hajjaj, state minister for primary and mass education; and Rehan Asif Asad, adviser to the prime minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology.
Kamrul Islam, protocol officer-2 to the prime minister, and Md Jahidul Islam, deputy press secretary-1 to the prime minister, also took part, along with Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Bangladesh’s ambassador to the United States, and Kazi Muhammad Jabed Iqbal, consul general in Los Angeles.
ASU’s representatives were Meghan Gibson, director of global development; Dr Minu Ipe, vice chair and managing director of the University Design Institute, who joined virtually; and Dr Ibrahim Khalil, adjunct professor and industry advisory board member.
The university has substantial experience in semiconductor education and workforce development, including international partnerships and industry-linked training initiatives.
The talks focused on building a practical semiconductor ecosystem in Bangladesh by connecting engineering education, research, skilled workforce development, industry and investment.
Potential areas of cooperation included semiconductor and microelectronics curricula, faculty and professional training, applied research, university-industry partnerships and institutional capacity building.
The two sides also explored cooperation with ASU’s University Design Institute on higher education transformation and institutional capacity building. The institute works internationally with universities, governments and education systems on institutional transformation.
State Minister Shama Obaed Islam highlighted opportunities to deepen Bangladesh-US cooperation in education, science, research and technology. State Minister Boby Hajjaj emphasised STEM education, teacher development and preparing young people for emerging industries. Adviser Rehan Asif Asad stressed the importance of a realistic semiconductor roadmap linking education and research with industry, investment and commercialisation.
Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir emphasised sustainable planning, human-capital development and stronger education-industry linkages, with the objective of translating technology partnerships into skilled employment, research capacity, innovation and investment.
As a key next step, the two sides discussed developing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide a structured framework for cooperation in semiconductor education and workforce development, research, curriculum and faculty development, university-industry engagement and higher education transformation.
Both sides expressed interest in continuing the dialogue and identifying specific, implementable projects and institutional counterparts. The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles will facilitate follow-up between ASU and the relevant ministries, universities and institutions in Bangladesh.